Mobile micro-grid power system controller and method

ABSTRACT

Methods and control apparatus are presented for controlling supply of electrical power to a micro-grid power system, in which a master controller automatically rebalances the micro-grid by changing an activation state of one or more loads and/or activating and deactivating individual power supplies to preferentially activate non-fuel consuming power supplies and deactivate fuel consuming power supplies so as to minimize fuel consumption for the micro-grid power system.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of, and claims priority to and thebenefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/157,943, which was filedMay 18, 2016, entitled MOBILE MICRO-GRID POWER SYSTEM CONTROLLER ANDMETHOD, and which is a divisional of, and claims priority to and thebenefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/191,555, which was filedFeb. 27, 2014, entitled MOBILE MICRO-GRID POWER SYSTEM CONTROLLER ANDMETHOD, and which is a continuation of, and claims priority to and thebenefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/658,416, which was filedOct. 23, 2012, entitled MOBILE MICRO-GRID POWER SYSTEM CONTROLLER ANDMETHOD, and which is a divisional of, and claims priority to and thebenefit of, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/764,525, which was filedApr. 21, 2010, entitled MOBILE MICRO-GRID POWER SYSTEM CONTROLLER ANDMETHOD, which claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/172,379, which was filed Apr. 24, 2009,entitled MICRO-GRID POWER SYSTEM AND CONTROL METHOD, the entireties ofwhich applications are hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure generally relates to power distribution andcontrol systems. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to amilitary expeditionary or micro-grid power system and method ofcontrolling appliance consumption, power distribution, electrical energygeneration, collection, storage and/or subsequent distribution, by thegathering of information concerning on line and off line power sourcesand on or off appliance loads.

BACKGROUND

The definition of a micro-grid varies throughout the civilian andmilitary expeditionary energy community. The various micro-griddefinitions can be characterized by their scope of service and ownershipstructure. Scope of service could range from small commercial individualfacilities that use micro-grids to substations whose loads are suppliedwith micro-grids and a fully mobile military micro-grid. The definitionvaries for end-use customers, landlords, municipal utilities andinvestor-owned utilities. Each of these owners is looking for adifferent configuration value from a micro-grid and has a different“sweet spot” for the scope and definition of service. Industry, militaryand academia such as DTE Energy, the Consortium for Electric ReliabilityTechnology Solutions (CERTS), the Electric Power Research Institute(EPRI), the European Research Project Cluster, Northern Power, the GasTechnology Institute (GTI), ENCORP, the National Renewable EnergyLaboratory NREL, GE, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Project Manager(PM) Mobile Electric Power (MEP) and the US Army Corps of Engineers allhave differences in functionality, and hence a difference in thedefinition of a micro-grid. The expeditionary or type of micro-griddiscussed in this disclosure is very different than what would be usedcommercially in that the grid size can be considered one power supply(e.g., a generator, vehicle export AC or DC, battery storage AC or DC,or fuel cell) distributing to one shelter, or to a larger, but limitedgroup of shelters. This arrangement can be enlarged to supply power tolarger camps and related appliances used within a camp, although alarger camp may include a set of individual micro-grids within the samecamp, that are not tied to one another.

Historically an expeditionary military fielded military micro-grid is anelectrical distribution system connecting any combination of single,multiple soft or hard wall shelters, maintenance shelters, electrickitchens, showers, washer/dryers, and personnel equipment such as hairdryers, radios, and televisions as an example. This distributionsystem's electrical power is supplied by one or more diesel generatorsof various kW outputs that are generally positioned around the outsideperimeter of the distribution system.

An example of a fielded micro-grid would be for a Bare Base troopbed-down operation. Force Provider for the Army and Harvest Eagle andHarvest Falcon for the Air Force are AC engine generator suppliedmicro-grid users. The Navy and Marine Corps have constructed permanentand quasi-fixed bare base facilities that also use micro-grid generatorpower.

The number of individual micro-grids that are needed can range from asmall Patrol Expeditionary Camp (PEC), for example, with three sheltersand a shower using two micro-grids and two generators for energy supply,distribution infrastructure, to a medium (e.g., 150 man) camp withhousing, feeding, laundry, shower systems and Environmental ControlUnits (ECU e.g. a military hardened AC that use six micro-grids and sixgenerators), to large (e.g., 5,000 man) camps with full sizecomplementary infrastructure such a larger kitchens, laundries, heatedshowers, food refrigeration and freezers, employing many ECUs that woulduse prime power (larger not easily towable generators) with the amountof individual micro-grids broken down into sections to supply the camp.The power and energy consumption control methods described below pertainto the various individual micro-grids, and configurations that operateindividually within the same camp or foot print that uses mobilegeneration and/or renewable energy. This disclosure may also providefuel savings when used with prime power equipped camps. The differencebetween mobile and prime power is, prime power utilizes 100 KW or largergenerators, buried high voltage cable with transformers serving largesections of the camp and is somewhat permanent in design losing itsexpeditionary value. Mobile expeditionary generators are sized to betowed with smaller vehicles, such as the Humvee, and are used to operatesmall individual micro-grids within the camp. Fielded expeditionarymicro-grid use, as discussed above, is currently configured with manyseparate stand alone micro-grids in use within the camp, operating eachmicro-grid as an island within the camp to insure adequate power to eachof the individual grids.

Expeditionary military micro-grids are ever changing dynamic systemsthat when fielded are arranged in many configurations to facilitate thevarious camp assets, locations and type of camp operation. Inherent to amobile micro-grid, is the effect of changing energy loads of a smallnumber of appliances, where ECUs laundry and showers can cause theelectrical energy on its micro-grid to drop. Typically, excess generatorenergy capacity is provided on each grid to accommodate such on/offcycling and peak demand loads. Unlike large commercial energy providers,the grouping of individual small size micro-grids in one expeditionarycamp makes it impractical to define a fuel-efficient base load. Forinstance, the addition of one air-conditioner can cause a momentarybrown out of one grid during the inrush energy load. A mobile militarymicro-grid is typically not staffed with operators monitoring systemloads and capacity, and consequently the many individual micro-gridscomprising one camp may not operate at optimum power generation and fuelefficiency.

Current art employs two methods of generator power supply sidemanagement techniques, both maintaining a percentage of reserve capacityabove the base load. The first method is the most basic of control andis the legacy and current configuration extensively used today in amobile micro-grid. The generators are started manually and left runningas long as the power is needed. This may be a single generator or aplurality of generators operating on one common micro-grid, or aplurality of mobile generators each operating it respective micro-grid.One disadvantage of using many individual micro-grids is due to the factthat the generators are not able to communicate and load share with eachother or with generators of different sizes. Another disadvantage is theinability to connect individual micro-grids into larger distributionnetworks. The second prior art method of generator capacity control isone in which the mobile generators can communicate with each other tocurtail or add generator operation as load and reserve conditionswarrant. This communication provides load sharing between generators ofthe same or different sizes and provides the power control to connect orconsolidate individual micro-grids. This commercially available controlfunction will likely be incorporated in future expeditionary camps, inone form or another, to interconnect what are now stand alonemicro-grids to automatically turn on and off generators. In thisarrangement, a designated main Generator Set Controller (GSC) maybroadcast a control signal to other GSC equipped generators when enginestart or connection to buss is desired to maintain reserve capacity(e.g., percentage of reserve power has been exceeded by the growing baseload). Reacting to the random appliance starting inrush and operationalconsumption that increased the base load, tripping the reserve energysetting of the designated main GSC. This event causes the GSC to addreserve capacity to re-establish the same base load to reserve capacityprofile. This power control method provides better fuel savings thanletting the generators run but still requires excess capacity to be online continuously adjusting the excess spinning capacity as the campbase load increases or decreases. Though this method of distributedmobile generator control will reduce the amount of stand alonemicro-grids, reduce the amount of individual generators running, andlower the fuel use, substantial capacity is still maintained to preventbrownout or equipment shutdown due to low power.

A deficiency is this control method is the inability to incorporate newenergy supplies such as vehicle export and non-engine derived energy,such as renewable or stored battery energy, in a plural power supplyenvironment.

Another disadvantage of this prior art method is the necessity ofmaintaining excess energy on line or in standby to be instantly ready(spinning) to operate a mobile micro-grid and is one of the main causesof fuel inefficiency.

Another disadvantage is the inability to predict or preplan power supplyrequirements in relation to energy consumption. This directlycontributes to the inefficient use of fuel, energy, and/or otherresources such as maintenance and logistics.

Due to the very small size of the mobile micro-grid another disadvantagewhen programming the generator controller for distribution, is the issueof what energy level is established to insure each of a grid's supplyfunctions such as base load, load following, or peak power in anyefficient manner. The inability to predict or preplan power supplyrequirements in relation to energy consumption directly contributes tothe inefficient use of fuel, energy, and/or other resources such asmaintenance and logistics.

Another inefficient shortcoming is the inability of the prior artsystems to select from different generator capacities and non mobilegenerator energy supply sources such as renewables.

Another deficiency is that the mobile micro-grid is of such small size(low capacitance) that there is no average rise or reduction in demand,as appliances are turned on, because an instant response is requirednecessitating the operator to program higher reserve and surge capacity,increasing the spinning reserve capacity and wasting fuel.

Another inefficient shortcoming is the inability to sync phases betweenmobile generators and stored energy when the load can be carried bystored energy and the generators are restarted for larger loads.

Another inefficient shortcoming is a lack of communication based on apre-communicated consumption appliance profile of resistive, inductive,or capacitive load energy required before appliance operation toforewarn the supply side to select the best fuel efficient method ofpower supply combinations before the individual appliance is allowed torun.

Yet another inefficient shortcoming of the prior art systems is theinability to load share diesel-operated generators with fuel cellgeneration, vehicle export power and renewable energy sources such aswind, solar, and energy storage systems.

Yet another inefficient shortcoming is the inability to ping themicro-grid to ascertain the supply, base load and inrush energy neededto operate the associated micro-grid.

SUMMARY

Various aspects of the present disclosure are now summarized tofacilitate a basic understanding of the disclosure, wherein this summaryis not an extensive overview of the disclosure, and is intended neitherto identify certain elements of the disclosure, nor to delineate thescope thereof. Rather, the primary purpose of this summary is to presentsome concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form prior to the moredetailed description that is presented hereinafter.

The present disclosure provides improved power management anddistribution systems and methods for fielded expeditionary, remoteand/or temporary micro-grid installations that manage power resourcesefficiently while supplying the power needs of the micro-gridinstallation.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure, amethod is provided for controlling supply of electrical power to amicro-grid power system. The method includes obtaining power supplyprofile data from a plurality of power supplies operatively coupled withthe micro-grid power system, and obtaining micro-grid load dataassociated with a plurality of electrical loads operatively coupled withthe micro-grid power system. A load profile and an active reserve powerlevel are determined for the micro-grid based in whole or in part on themicro-grid load data, and the supply of electrical power to themicro-grid is balanced by setting the power supply activation statesbased at least in part on the load profile and the active reserve powerlevel. The method further includes receiving a load activation requestindicating requested activation of one or more currently deactivatedloads, a load deactivation notification indicating deactivation of oneor more currently activated loads and/or a power supply status changenotification indicating a change in a status of a currently active powersupply. Based on this as well as the load profile and the active reservepower level, a determination is made automatically as to whetherrebalancing of the micro-grid electrical power supply is needed. If so,the method includes automatically rebalancing the supply of electricalpower to the micro-grid power system by changing an activation state ofone or more of the plurality of power supplies based at least partiallyon the load profile and the active reserve power level.

In accordance with further aspects of the disclosure, the automaticrebalancing in certain embodiments includes automatically selecting oneor more power supplies for activation state change based at least inpart on one or more fuel consumption parameters associated with theplurality of power supplies and according to the load profile and theactive reserve power level, as well as changing the activation state ofone or more selected power supplies. In certain embodiments, moreover,the automatic selection of power supplies for activation state change isdone so as to minimize fuel consumption for the micro-grid power system,for example, by automatically determining a best fuel-efficientcombination of the micro-grid power supplies based at least partially onone or more power supply fuel consumption parameters.

In accordance with further aspects of the disclosure, the automaticselection of power supplies for activation state change includesselecting at least one currently deactivated power supply for activationand selecting at least one currently activated supply for deactivation.In certain implementations, this includes preferentially selecting atleast one currently deactivated non-fuel consuming power supply foractivation and selecting at least one currently activated fuel consumingpower supply for deactivation. In certain embodiments, this involvespreferentially selecting one or more currently deactivated solarenergy-based or wind-energy based supplies and/or battery or capacitivestorage-type power supplies for activation.

In accordance with further aspects of the disclosure, certainembodiments of the method also include rebalancing the supply ofelectrical power to the micro-grid periodically or upon user request byautomatically selecting one or more power supplies for activation statechange based in whole or in part on one or more power supply fuelconsumption parameters and on the load profile and the active reservepower level, and changing the activation state of one or more selectedones of the plurality of power supplies.

In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, the automaticselection of power supplies for activation state change is done at leastin part to reduce excess spinning reserve capacity in the micro-gridpower system beyond the determined active reserve power level, toincrease efficiency of at least one fuel-consuming generator, to controlthe power factor of the micro-grid power system, and/or to control peakshaving in the micro-grid power system.

In accordance with still other aspects of the disclosure, certainembodiments of the method also include delaying activation of one ormore specific loads for which a load activation request has beenreceived until either the supply of electrical power to the micro-gridhas been rebalanced to accommodate the requested activation or until adetermination has been made that the current micro-grid power issufficient to accommodate the requested activation.

In accordance with further aspects of the disclosure, certainembodiments of the method also include obtaining updated power supplyprofile data and/or updated micro-grid load data based on receipt of aload activation request, a load deactivation notification, and/or anactive power supply status change notification.

In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, a non-transitorycomputer readable medium is provided, which includes computer executableinstructions for controlling the supply of electrical power to amicro-grid power system according to one or more disclosed methods.

Further aspects of the disclosure relate to an automated system forcontrolling a plurality of power supplies operatively coupled with amicro-grid power system. The system includes a master controlleroperatively coupled with the power supplies and with a plurality ofelectrical loads that are coupled with the micro-grid power system. Themaster controller is operative to obtain power supply profile data fromthe power supplies and to obtain micro-grid load data associated withthe electrical loads. The master controller determines a load profileand an active reserve power level for the micro-grid based at leastpartially on the micro-grid load data, and balances the micro-grid bysetting activation states of one or more power supplies based in wholeor in part on the load profile and the active reserve power level. Themaster controller receives load activation requests, load deactivationnotifications, and/or power supply status change notifications, andautomatically determines whether rebalancing of the micro-gridelectrical power supply is needed based on the received requests and/ornotifications, as well as on the load profile and the active reservepower level. If so, the master controller automatically rebalances themicro-grid by changing activation states of one or more power supplies,based at least partially on the load profile and the active reservepower level.

In accordance with further aspects of the disclosure, the mastercontroller may be integrated into one of the power supplies.

In accordance with still other aspects of the disclosure, certainembodiments of the master controller are operative to rebalance themicro-grid by automatically selecting one or more of the plurality ofpower supplies for activation state change based at least partially onone or more power supply fuel consumption parameters in order tominimize fuel consumption for the micro-grid power system and to changethe activation state of selected power supplies. In certainimplementations, the master controller makes the activation statuschange selection according to one or more further considerations, suchas reducing excess spinning reserve capacity in the micro-grid,increasing efficiency of at least one fuel-consuming generator supply,controlling micro-grid power factor, and/or controlling peak shaving inthe micro-grid.

In accordance with further aspects of the disclosure, certainembodiments of the master controller are operative to delay activationof one or more specific loads for which a load activation request hasbeen received until either the supply of electrical power to themicro-grid power system has been rebalanced or until it has beendetermined that the current supply of electrical power to the micro-gridis sufficient to accommodate the requested load activation. In certainembodiments, the master controller is operative for at least onereceived load activation request to give permission to activate apartial requested load and to delay permission for activation for aremainder of the requested load until the micro-grid power system isrebalanced.

In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, certain embodimentsof the master controller are operative to rebalance the micro-grid byselecting at least one currently deactivated power supply for activationand selecting at least one currently activated supply for deactivationand by changing the activation state of selected power supplies. Incertain implementations, the master controller preferentially selectsone or more currently deactivated non-fuel consuming power supplies,such as solar or wind energy-based power supplies and/or battery orcapacitive storage-type power supplies for activation, and selects oneor more currently activated fuel consuming power supply fordeactivation.

In accordance with further aspects, the master controller selectivelyadjusts the power supply profile data, the micro-grid load data, and/orthe load profile based at least in part on environmental informationrelating to the environmental condition of the micro-grid and/orlocation information relating to the geographical location of themicro-grid.

In accordance with further aspects, the master controller in certainembodiments is operative to rebalance the supply of electrical power tothe micro-grid power system by changing an activation state of one ormore of the plurality of power supplies based at least partially on anindication of imminent loss of at least one of the power supplies.

Further aspects of the disclosure relate to a stand-alone micro-gridpower system disconnected from utility power, which includes one or moreloads that are capable of consuming electrical power when activated, aswell as a plurality of power supplies operatively coupled with theload(s) and with one another to form a micro-grid arrangement. The powersupplies include one or more non-fuel consuming power suppliesoperatively coupled to provide electrical power to the micro-grid whenactivated, one or more fuel consuming generators operatively coupled toprovide electrical power to the micro-grid when activated, and one ormore energy storage systems operative to store electrical energy andoperatively coupled to provide electrical power to the micro-grid whenactivated. The system further includes one or more delay demand devicesoperative to control activation of the at least one load, as well as amaster controller operatively coupled with the power supplies andload(s), where the master controller automatically rebalances themicro-grid by changing an activation state of one or more of the powersupplies.

In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, certain embodimentsof the master controller are operative to automatically rebalance themicro-grid by preferentially activate at least one non-fuel consumingpower supply and/or preferentially deactivate at least one fuelconsuming power supply so as to minimize fuel consumption for themicro-grid power system.

In accordance with other aspects of the disclosure, certain embodimentsof the master controller are operative to obtain power supply profiledata from the power supplies and to obtain micro-grid load dataassociated with the electrical loads. The master controller determines aload profile and an active reserve power level for the micro-grid basedat least partially on the micro-grid load data, and balances themicro-grid by setting activation states of one or more power suppliesbased in whole or in part on the load profile and the active reservepower level. The master controller receives load activation requests,load deactivation notifications, and/or power supply status changenotifications, and automatically determines whether rebalancing of themicro-grid electrical power supply is needed based on the receivedrequests and/or notifications, as well as on the load profile and theactive reserve power level. If so, the master controller automaticallyrebalances the micro-grid by changing activation states of one or morepower supplies, based at least partially on the load profile and theactive reserve power level.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure may take form in certain structures, components, and/ormethodologies, several embodiments of which will be described in detailin this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Thefollowing description and drawings set forth certain illustrativeimplementations of the disclosure in detail, which are indicative of oneor more exemplary ways in which the various principles of the disclosuremay be carried out. The illustrated examples, however, are notexhaustive of the many possible embodiments of the disclosure. Otherobjects, advantages and novel features of the disclosure will be setforth in the following detailed description when considered inconjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a system diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a microgrid power system, according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a system diagram illustrating a micro grid system of FIG. 1,as it relates to a military fielded installation;

FIG. 3 is a system diagram illustrating one embodiment of a micro gridsystem of FIG. 1, illustrating a power supply comprised of various powersources and a generalized load comprised of various individual loads;

FIG. 4 is a system diagram illustrating a washer type appliance of themicro grid system of FIG. 1, having an integrated delay demand devicecontroller;

FIG. 5 is a system diagram illustrating a dryer type appliance of themicro grid system of FIG. 1, having an integrated delay demand devicecontroller;

FIG. 6 is a system diagram illustrating an environmental control unitappliance of the micro grid system of FIG. 2, illustrating an integrateddelay demand device controller for controlling a plurality of sub-loads;

FIG. 7 is a system diagram illustrating a tent building type load of themicro grid system of FIG. 2, including a delay demand device controllerfor controlling a plurality of sub-loads;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged system diagram illustrating a field kitchen loadof the micro grid system of FIG. 2, illustrating a mode switch, anintegrated delay demand device controller, and a plurality of sub-loads;

FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating the energy profile of two environmentalcontrol unit (ECU) loads of the micro grid system of FIG. 2;

FIG. 10 is a flow chart diagram illustrating the method of operation ofone embodiment of a micro power system including a master fuel balancecontroller (FBC), according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a power managementinformation system of the micro-grid system of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating the control method performed by themaster FBC of FIGS. 10 and 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure embodies the initial set up, operation and fuelefficient monitoring and subsequent energy rebalancing of a field-able,mobile expeditionary, electrical energy supply, connected to a commonelectrical grid supplying electrical energy for consumption in amilitary fielded expeditionary application. As previously noted,expeditionary or mobile micro-grid systems are those that are portablevia trucks for supporting military camps of about 150 persons or lessand may provide electrical power for various associated equipmentincluding soldier needs as well as powering an associated command andcontrol center and the corresponding equipment, and mobile micro-gridsystems are disconnected from utility grid power. This disclosureprovides the user in field ability to arrange or rearrange size and/ortypes of power generation, renewable and energy storage for efficientfuel use. Matching of base and peak loads of connected appliances orgroups of appliances before grid operation (e.g. before being put inservice) provides the ability to rearrange the type and or amount ofenergy supply devices and appliances, or groups of appliances before orduring operation. This disclosure also provides the field user with theability to arrange or rearrange the micro-grid size and orinter-connection with other micro-grids within the camp. This disclosuredepicts methods of intelligent selection of supply types and powerlevels based on connected pre-operation power source energy profileswith a communicated pre-use connected appliance load profiles. Thisdisclosure addresses a “plug and play” intelligent power selection,delivery and consumption architecture as a stand-alone or islandelectrical grid of supply and demand, that can be used in a fieldedapplication not connected to (physically spaced away from) a utilityowned distribution (local electric power).

It should be noted, the term of efficient fuel use, or best efficiencyin the following discussion relates to the amount of fossil fuel useddue to engine efficiency (torque efficiency curve and loading ofrespective engine) and not necessarily the efficient use of electricalenergy. Some aspects of this disclosure refer to the ability to selectan engine or engines and operate the engine driven generator in the besttorque curve to reduce the amount of fuel converted to electricaloutput. Other aspects of this disclosure refer to the ability ofautomatic phase syncing and rebalancing of power supplies to non-enginedriven generation for fuel saving power management. Also, the followingdiscussion is responsive to providing sufficient electrical energy usingthe least amount of fuel such as Diesel-1, Diesel-2, JP-8, Diesel FuelArctic, Kerosene, and similar distillates.

This disclosure can be considered an “overlay” to the standard generatorequipped Generator Set Controller (GSC). That is, certain embodimentsadd function ability by communicating with the various mobile generatorcontrol systems designed and installed into military or Commercial OffThe Shelf (COTS) mobile generator sets. These microprocessor-basedgen-set controllers or GSCs provide general characteristics such asengine cranking, engine protection and generator metering capabilitiessuch as synchronizing, load control, soft load transfer, power control,alarms, current of various circuits or phases (e.g., L1-L2-L3-N),voltage control and measures and data such as active and reactiveenergy, power factor, engine speed, event logs, voltage, current, andfrequency as an example. Real time information managed by the GSC isshareable by communication protocols such as Modbus. Modbus, as anexample, provides a complete register list to allow for total access toall information. This disclosure may also communicate with batterystorage, high energy “super” capacitors, vehicles that supply exportpower and fuel cell generation systems using Modbus or other similarcommunication protocols.

With reference to FIG. 1, a micro-grid electrical power distributionsystem 10 is shown arranged according to one exemplary illustrativeembodiment. System 10 comprises a military micro-grid system configuredto deliver electrical energy from a fielded micro-grid supply to variouscamp appliances. The depicted exemplary system 10 comprises a pluralityof exemplary fuel balance controllers (FBC) 90, 90 a, 90 b a pluralityof mobile power supplies (e.g., mobile generators) 91, 91 a, 91 b, amobile distribution micro-grid 150, data communication network 6, and anexemplary plurality of delay management devices (DDD) 5, 5 a, 5 b,and/or mobile appliance loads 18, 18 a, 18 b.

With continued reference to FIG. 1, first FBC 90 is coupled to the firstmobile generator 91, the second FBC 90 a is coupled to mobile generator91 a, and the third FBC 90 b is coupled to the third mobile generator 91b and so on. The first, second, and third FBCs 90, 90 a, 90 b,respectively, are depicted communicating with each other and theplurality of delay management devices 5, 5 a, 5 b via a data network 6.In addition, each appliance in this example has a Delay Demand Device(DDD) coupled to its respective appliance 18, 18 a, 18 b, although not astrict requirement of the disclosure. Electrical power characteristicsrelating to each specific generator are stored in each respective FBC.Electrical power characteristics relating to each specific appliance andor group of appliances (not shown) is stored in each respective DDD.

With further reference to FIG. 1, the plurality of appliances 18 iscoupled with the mobile electrical power distribution system micro-grid150 and may send a request for start (load activation request) withaccompanying operational load profile information. This request toconsume electrical power from the micro-grid 150 is received by FBC 90.This call for operational load is evaluated against a plurality of(connected to a common micro-grid) available power supplies (e.g.,mobile generators 91, 91 a, 91 b, etc.) sharing respective state ofelectrical energy output, available reserve capacity, and powerconversion characteristic data stored in each respective generator FBCmemory, and the operational load call (activation request) is comparedto running or non running load profiles stored in the memory of eachrespective appliance delay demand device (DDD) 5, 5 a, 5 b. In someembodiments, mobile generators 91 and/or appliances 18 may be consideredto be part of the system 10, (e.g., in configurations wherein fuelsaving power management operations are implemented using associatedcontrol circuitry of the appliances and generators as described inexemplary embodiments below).

FBC 90 is configured as a control circuitry to monitor and manage supplyenergy capacity of system 10 in some embodiments. FBC 90 may comprise amicroprocessor in one embodiment to implement exemplary monitoring andcontrol aspects of the fuel saving power management operations describedherein. FBC 90 may be referred to as a centralized controller or mastercontroller in one embodiment and for example, operates from DDD 5request to start or notice of shut off input signals or messages. Basedon the level and type of power request from DDD 5, the FBC 90 may startand or stop additional mobile generators to implement power managementoperations (balancing, rebalancing, etc.). First DDD 5 can be configuredas control circuitry to manage operation of appliance 18. The delaydemand devices 5 may comprise a microprocessor in one embodiment toimplement exemplary control aspects of a military micro-grid powermanagement operations described herein.

In other arrangements, the FBC may monitor electrical energy distributedwithin the system and issue appropriate control signals to a pluralityof other FBCs, in response to the DDDs via a network, (hard-wired orwireless) to implement fuel saving electrical power management ofmicro-grid. Implementation of fuel saving power management operations bythe FBC, configured in the above-identified one-at-a-time singleappliance start and operate embodiment may be referred to as anindividual appliance load start request.

In operation, one FBC (e.g., FBC 90) or other control elementoperatively coupled with the micro-grid is configured as mastercontroller of the micro-grid system 10. The master controller 90 obtainspower supply profile data from the power supplies 91 and obtainsmicro-grid load data associated with the electrical loads 18, whetherdirectly from the load appliances 18 or from the associated delay demanddevices 5 or combinations thereof. The master controller determines aload profile and an active reserve power level (e.g., spinning reserve,although the active reserve power level can include capacity ofnon-spinning sources, such as solar or wind-energy type supplies,battery or capacitor-type storage supplies, etc.) based at leastpartially on the micro-grid load data, and balances the micro-grid byactivating or deactivating (e.g., setting activation states of) one ormore power supplies 91 based in whole or in part on the load profile andthe active reserve power level. The master controller 90 receives loadactivation requests, load deactivation notifications, and/or powersupply status change notifications, and automatically determines whetherrebalancing of the micro-grid is needed based on the received requestsand/or notifications, as well as on the load profile and the activereserve power level. If so, the master controller 90 automaticallyrebalances the micro-grid 150 by changing activation states of one ormore power supplies 91 based at least partially on the load profile andthe active reserve power level. In the example of FIG. 1, the mastercontroller may be integrated into one of the supplies 91, and otherembodiments are possible in which the master controller 90 is a separatedevice.

The master controller 90 in certain embodiments rebalances themicro-grid system 10 by automatically selecting one or more powersupplies 91 for activation state change based at least partially on oneor more power supply fuel consumption parameters in order to minimizefuel consumption for the micro-grid power system and changes theactivation state of selected power supplies 91 according to theselection. In certain implementations, the master controller 90 makesthe activation status change selection according to one or more furtherconsiderations, such as reducing excess spinning reserve capacity in themicro-grid, increasing efficiency of at least one fuel-consuminggenerator supply, controlling micro-grid power factor, and/orcontrolling peak shaving in the micro-grid. The master controller 90,moreover, is configurable in certain embodiments to delay activation ofone or more specific loads 18 for which a load activation request hasbeen received until either the supply of electrical power to themicro-grid power system has been rebalanced or until the mastercontroller 90 determines that the current supply of electrical power tothe micro-grid is sufficient to accommodate the requested loadactivation. In various embodiments, the master controller 90 rebalancesthe micro-grid system 10 by selecting at least one currently deactivatedpower supply 91 for activation and selecting at least one currentlyactivated supply 91 for deactivation and by changing the activationstate of selected power supplies 91. In certain implementations, themaster controller 90 preferentially selects one or more currentlydeactivated non-fuel consuming power supplies 91, such as solar or windenergy-based power supplies and/or battery or capacitive storage-typepower supplies for activation, and selects one or more currentlyactivated fuel consuming power supply for deactivation, as describedfurther below.

A DDD 5 may be implemented in certain embodiments at a consolidation ofpower appliances location (e.g., electric kitchen, batch laundry, coldfood storage, in tent power panel etc. as shown in FIG. 3). For example,appliances 18 can be grouped by the service they provide (e.g., foodpreparation including baking, steam cooking, grilling, sanitization,etc.). A DDD 5 can be mounted locally to provide one power request forthe group of appliances 18 needed to perform such a common operationaltask from the FBC 90. Implementation of such power management operationsby the FBC 90, configured in the above-identified common serviceapplication example may be referred to as a group appliance powerrequest. Accordingly, in at least some exemplary embodiments, the FBC90, may provide a centralized management operations described.Furthermore, one FBC 90 may be configured as a master and serve as acentralized hub and be arranged to monitor and control supply andconsumption (as will be discussed later with respect to FIG. 10), forexample, directly or through communication with other devices, includingother (non-master) FBCs of the system 10.

In some embodiments and as mentioned above, the DDD 5 may be omitted andthe request functionality for profiled load operation can be integratedwithin the appliances 18. A mobile generator 91 can be configured tosupply various states of load imposed on the micro-grid 150. The mobilegenerator 90 may be arranged as two or more mobile generators or otherconstruction configured to supply electrical energy that can beindividually taken on-line or off-line, or the output thereof may beadjusted, according to the request for appliance start and energyprofile requirement. The DDDs 5 upon request to begin applianceoperation, provide a signal to the master controller FBC 90 containingappliance information, inrush and/or an operational energy valuerequest. The master controller FBC 90 can compare available mobilegenerators 90 of the micro-grid (including active and deactivatedsupplies), present load, and reserve energy supply. If insufficientreserve energy is available to support the additional load request, theDDD 5 can deny a start request from the requesting appliance untiladequate energy reserve levels are reconfigured and made available withthe master controller 90 providing the necessary permission grantthrough messaging or signaling to the DDD 5. By contrast, typicalmicro-grid power distribution approaches attempt to stabilize a value ofreserve electrical capacity such that these reserves may be used toaccommodate fluctuations in demand and are typically increased to apotentially high (and inefficient) energy level to accommodateunexpected significant fluctuations in demand for electrical energy.Here, one aspect of this disclosure is to provide fuel savings controlby reducing the need for such high levels of reserve capacity throughmaster controller selection of smaller generators 91 as stand alone orin parallel operation from received energy profiles before consumptionfor adjustment of the power supplies 91.

In this manner, the master controller 91 operates and manages themicro-grid 150 to provide the electrical energy from the mobilegenerator(s) 91 to appropriate destinations for consumption with thecapability to minimize or improve fuel consumption beyond thecapabilities of unmanaged or undermanaged prior solutions. In otherembodiments, the micro-grid system 10 may comprise a plurality ofdifferent voltage distribution lines and transformers configured toconduct the electrical energy through the camp. By way of example, themicro-grid may provide electrical energy at frequencies of 50/60 Hz andvoltages of 114/126V, single phase, 2 wire, 120/240V, single phase, 3wire, 120/208V, 3 phase, 4 wire, 240/416V, 3 phase, 4 wire or otherappropriate voltages for usage by the respective loads and/or appliancesof the micro-grid.

Generally, the DDDs 5 are configured to selectively present future startup load profiles and operational energy consumption throughcommunication with its respective or master FBC 90, as described below.In the example of FIG. 1, all of the illustrated appliances 18, 18 a, 18b, have associated DDDs 5, 51, 5 b. In other arrangements, only some (ornone) of the appliances 18 may have associated DDDs 5. In still otherarrangements, a single DDD 5 may be configured to control a group orplurality of appliances 18.

The FBCs 90 are configured to selectively take off line, start, stop andsync mobile generators and other supplies 91 (e.g., including syncing ofstorage-type supplies with associated inverters), as described below. Inthe exemplary depicted implementation of FIG. 1, all of the illustratedmobile generators 91, 91 a, 91 b, have associated FBCs 90, 90 a, 90 b.In other arrangements FBCs 90, may be implemented entirely or partiallyusing existing components of the mobile generator 91. For example, thefunctionality of one FBC may be implemented using the OEM generatorcontroller (as depicted in FIG. 11) to monitor electrical energy ofpower distribution 10. In other arrangements, only some of the mobilegenerators 91 may have associated FBCs 90. In still other arrangements,an FBC 90 may control a plurality of mobile generators 91 or other powersupply devices (e.g. battery storage, capacitors, vehicle export power,fuel cell, or self power heater export power).

Reduced generator operation or resizing of energy producing equipmentmay be implemented in a variety of power management configurations. Inone such arrangement, the FBC 90 provides the operator (during setup ofthe camp or installation) a pre-grid operation query function ofmicro-grid 150. The total power supply configuration and individualpower supply types and output capacities and appliance, delay managementdevices start up load profile and subsequent operational load by use ofone mobile generator 91, supplying battery electrical for controllerfunctions. When connected but in an off state in one embodiment, themobile generators 91 (when queried by the FBC 90), transmit controllerembedded power supply features (e.g., FIG. 12 step S12) when queried bythe FBC 90 connected to micro-grid 150, and the DDD 5 supplies imbeddedconsumption features (e.g. appliance type, single or group load, inrushor starting energy profile, running energy consumption and otherinformation as needed) to the master controller 90.

The ability to have a military mobile fieldable micro-grid that providessupply and load information reduces time and manpower to set up themicro-grid system 10, eliminates the possibility of brown outs, andprovides information on the best size and/or quantity of mobilegenerators 91 for micro-grid thereby reducing excess generator capacity,maintenance, and fuel use while maximizing utilization of the mobilegenerators, and/or other connected energy supply devices. Conventionaltechniques and control apparatus do not provide a dynamic (though in anon-consumption state) pre-operational view of a micro-grid supply anddemand, and do not offer corrective action with resizing of neededenergy producing equipment using information based on tested powersupply outputs under various load data and actual appliance consumptionprofile data of possible inrush and operational loads.

Field experience has shown that camp systems, after initial deploymenttend to continuously grow in power demand. Furthermore, at any time, theoperator may query the FBCs 90 and the individual energy supplies 91 (inan active or deactivated state) and appliance loads 18 (in anoperational or non operational state) to update the configuration ofsupply and load. The FBC 90 may be configured to update and display tothe operator the “new” appliance load reflecting any added or removedloads, this information would be used by the operator to increase and/orrebalance the power supply as needed. In another such arrangement, theFBC can be queried to update any change in power supply configurationany generators or other power supply sources for rebalancing of thepower supply as needed. Generally, the FBC 90 includes control circuitrythat may monitor electrical energy consumed on the micro-grid, query orissue control signals to mobile generators, and the DDDs 5. Whenqueried, the DDDs 5 respond by providing start-up load and operationalenergy levels of the respective appliances on the micro-grid.

Now with reference to FIG. 2, an electrical power distribution system 11is shown arranged according to one exemplary illustrative embodiment.System 11 comprises a military fieldable micro-grid system configured todeliver electrical energy from a mobile energy supply to a variety ofcoupled camp appliances. The depicted exemplary system 11 comprises aplurality of exemplary power supplies. Energy supply is managed by arespective generator and/or energy storage system controller. Theplurality of power supply types includes mobile generator 91, fuel cellgenerator 52, and energy storage system 80. The system further includeselectrical energy distribution grid 150, controller communicationnetwork 6, an exemplary plurality of DDDs 5, and energy consumingappliances or groups of appliances (e.g., environmental control unit(ECU) 20, a tent 42, a field kitchen 30). The appliances, as discussedpreviously, can be selectively coupled to the micro-grid 150.

With continued reference to FIG. 2, ECU 20, tent 42, field kitchen 30,respective DDDs 5, may query the FBCs 90, 53, 81, upon receiving a startinput from a second input request (e.g., operator manipulation of on/offswitch, thermostat or other on/off input signal not shown). The DDDs maysend stored non-volatile memory data of start and operational loadprofile information (see FIG. 9 for example) for permission to consumeelectrical energy from micro-grid 150. This electrical energy isprovided from one or more or any combination of mobile generator 91,fuel cell generator 52, and energy storage system 80. In someembodiments, mobile generator 91, fuel cell generator 52, and energystorage system 80 may be considered to be part of the system 11 (e.g.,in configurations wherein power management operations are implementedusing associated control circuitry of the appliances and power supplysystem as described in exemplary embodiments below).

As discussed with respect to FIG. 1, the FBCs can be configured as acontrol circuitry to monitor and manage the base load and the reserveenergy capacity of system 11. In still other embodiments, the FBCs mayinclude a microprocessor to implement exemplary monitoring and controlaspects of the power management operations described herein.

In yet other arrangements, the FBCs may provide a main operator userinterface providing computational user information of system power online and/or off line values, as well as appliance running and/or offload values providing control signals as master control of the dynamicsupply and consumption of energy throughout the micro-grid. The benefitsof reduced cost and simplified system architecture are to be gained byhaving only one master FBC with a user interface, with other FBCs beingsub-controllers. A sub-controller would provide all necessary inputs tothe master controller but lack the additional cost and complexity ofadditional memory, math calculations, larger user display interface andassociated master control functions required to manage the system. Inthis arrangement one FBC would be designated by the user as mastercontrol and the remaining FBCs communication would default tosub-control functions.

According to specific arrangements of power supply devices (e.g., 91,52, 80 of FIG. 2) being controlled, monitoring of energy supply and/orcontrolling the request for start and run of appliances or groups ofappliances (e.g., 20, 42, and 30) may be implemented using circuitryinternal and/or external of the controlled item or items. The discussionherein proceeds with respect to exemplary configurations whereinmonitoring and control configurations may be used to implement fuelsavings. Any alternate configurations may be used to implement functionsand operations described herein according to fuel consumptionconsiderations and/or other factors or operational goals, includingwithout limitation to reduce excess spinning reserve capacity in themicro-grid power system beyond the determined active reserve powerlevel, to increase efficiency of at least one fuel-consuming generator,to control the power factor of the micro-grid power system, and/or tocontrol peak shaving in the micro-grid power system.

In one arrangement, the FBC 90 can monitor mobile generator 91, fuelcell generator 52, energy storage system 80, by communication with fuelcell generator controller 53, energy storage controller 81. In otherarrangements vehicles or self powered heaters may provide energy to themicro-grid 150, by use of a heater or vehicle controller. FBC 90communicates with DDD 5 by use of network 6. Delay management component5 may communicate start and operational load information to FBC 90 whenoperator request for start is initiated. FBC 90 compares start and loadinformation to determine if sufficient energy is available for theappliance to start and run.

FBC 90 provides overall power management of system 11 using one or morecommunications interface to continuous communicate by exchange ofsignals, values, and/or messages with energy supplies and consumingappliances or DDDs connected thereto, and operates to manage reserveelectrical capacity and electrical energy distributed within system 11.The FBC 90 thereby issues appropriate control signals to micro-gridenergy supply in response from DDD 5 via network 6 (e.g., wired orwireless communications) to implement system 11 with power management ofmicro-grid 150 by FBC 90.

A military fielded micro-grid comprises sufficient mobile generatorcapacity to supply the expected design load of the grid. Current art isto connect generators in parallel and manually start/stop them (e.g. toreduce fuel usage and maintenance) through the day in anticipation ofincreased loads (e.g. daytime heat load will increase ECU operation andenergy requirement, night time heat load would reduce ECU use and lowerenergy requirement as an example). Another method of controlling mobilefield generators is to equip with commercially available microprocessorsthat provide built in synchronizer and digital isochronous load sharerfor generators in standby, island or mains parallel, with stop/startfunctions. This method of control uses generator energy output andenergy reserve information supplied from each generator on the commonmicro-grid to a master controller. The addition or removal of generatorsfrom the grid is managed from a system reserve capacity preset by theoperator. The power supply operates in a predetermined excess powercapacity for self-regulated generator operation. As shown in FIG. 9, agraph of two different ECU designs is depicted. The amount of presetreserve power is based on these types depicted of loads. The operatorpreset reserve capacity will include the on and off cycling of ECU loadswith the ability of starting additional generators when the presetreserve value is exceeded. The preset excess reserve is maintained byhaving multiple generators on line in a power sharing condition. Thisexcess capacity reactionary control method is inefficient as generatorreserve power is preset by trial and error to a high excess level ofpotential to accommodate any multiple of appliances or groups ofappliances cycling on/off at random in an attempt to eliminate brown outand low cycle (hertz) conditions. A more detailed discussion of theforegoing is provided below with reference to FIG. 9.

Referring now to FIG. 3, exemplary configurations of power supplies andappliances of a military micro-grid are shown. In this arrangement,electrical power supply 97 may comprise a plurality of differentassociated power supplies 91, 91 a, 91 b, 91 c, 91 d, and 91 e,individually configured to provide electrical power. Individual powersupplies are managed in this arrangement by a master FBC 90 (may bedesignated by operator as master control). The FBC can be incommunication with engine driven generators 90 a, 90 b, 90 c and FBC 90d (for controlling a fuel cell 91 d) and FBC 90 e (for controllingbattery storage system 91 e). A load 39 arranged in a plurality ofdifferent associated electrical power consumption points 20, 35, 31, 42,is shown. ECU 20 is a single appliance managed by a single DDD 5.Tactical command post 35 is a plurality of appliance loads managed by asingle DDD 5 a. Field kitchen 31 contains a plurality of appliancesmanaged by a single DDD 5 b. Tent 42 is a plurality of appliancesmanaged by a single DDD 5 c. Power supply 97 may be adjusted by therequest for operation of any DDD and/or by the master FBC 90.

Adjustment of power supply 97 by ECU 20 and permission to start may beimplemented responsive to monitoring by the master FBC 90. A newappliance load start request with accompanying energy profilerequirements of at least one appliance load may be implemented by theoperator or thermostat (not shown), monitored by the master FBC 90. Inanother embodiment, a characteristic (most efficient electrical energysource to use) of power supply 97, electrical energy and reservecapacity is monitored for best fuel efficiency. In still anotherembodiment, the master FBC may be configured to communicate with avariable speed generator thereby controlling the engine speed or otherparameters as a single energy supply or coupled with a plurality ofenergy supplies.

The present disclosure provides exemplary collective monitoringoperations of DDD managed appliances consuming electrical energy and theanalysis of collective future load data profiles of appliances in anon-operating (deactivated) condition connected to micro-grid 150 toreduce reserve capacity. In addition, the present disclosure providesexemplary coupled non-running possible appliance load energy profilesrepresentative of a single load or combinations of appliancesrepresented as one load profile. This collective information in oneaspect of the disclosure is used for initial set up and pre-operationcheck out and balancing (of reserve power, and energy conversion type)of a mobile military micro-grid.

Until now the mobile military micro-grid was designed using bills ofmaterial listing all major appliances required and “fudge” factors basedon prior lessons learned to select generator size and quantity toprovide sufficient reserve electrical energy to operate electricalenergy to the appliances or loads of the system. As mentionedpreviously, mobile generator on line load sharing capacity isconsistently sized larger than needed. In many fielded camps, a moreefficient use of fuel would be in parallel supply of a largermicro-grid. However, this is not done due to the inability ofcontrolling all the various configurations of the camp, growth or downsizing of the camp, and the fear of not having sufficient energyreserves at high priority designations. The following exemplaryillustration provides an in-depth understanding of energy supply anddemand during a diurnal cycle of a military mobile-fielded micro-grid,the energy distribution flexibility during micro-grid setup,fuel-efficient operation of energy producing assets, and real time dataof connected supply and consumption assets.

Again with reference to FIG. 3, during initial micro-grid 150 setup, theFBC master 90 is energized through micro-grid 150 by the electricaloutput of any one or more energy creating sources connected to themicro-grid 150 (e.g., engine battery of generator, fuel cell, batteryand capacitors, etc. as discussed previously). All controllers of powersupply 97 communicate by network 6, independent of the state ofoperation of the respective coupled energy source. When queried by theoperator, master FBC 90, using network 6, pings power supply 97 fornon-volatile data for efficient generated energy fuel use, including butnot limited to type of energy device (e.g., diesel engine, batterystorage, fuel cell, ultra-capacitor storage, micro turbine (not shown)wind turbine, (not shown) solar (not shown, waste to energy (not shown)bio-mass (not shown, vehicle (not shown) self powered heater (notshown)). The data collected enables the master FBC to continuallyevaluate the reserve or excess energy and type of energy conversionbeing used to supply the base load of power supply 97, to maintain amaximum power output efficiency with lowest fuel use created reservecapacity point through selection and de-selection of each respectiveenergy device established on the base load, retaining profile data ofwhat those load profiles are, and responding to any future call foroperational loads explained further below.

In another aspect of the disclosure, master FBC 90 is energized throughmicro-grid 150 by the electrical output of any energy-creating sourceconnected to micro-grid 150. In one embodiment of the disclosure, fuelcell 91 d supplies electrical energy to micro-grid 150. All of combinedloads 39 electrically communicate by network 6, independent of state ofoperation of the respective coupled appliance or DDD coupled group ofappliances. When queried by the operator, master FBC 90, using network6, pings the individual loads or the combined load 39 for consumptionprofile of appliance (e.g. ECU, washer (not shown) dryer (not shown)fuel fired heater (not shown) resistive heater (not shown) field kitchen31, command post 35, and/or tent 42).

The data stored in non-volatile memory provided by the respective DDDmay include and is not limited to, energy profile data of consumption ofa single appliance or energy profile data of energy consumption of agroup of appliances. The energy profile can include resistive (e.g.heaters and incandescent lights), inductive (e.g. motors andtransformers), capacitive (e.g. capacitors, wiring, cable). Thisspecific information is provided by the respective coupled DDDs.Furthermore, the operator can reconfigure equipment or change the sizeof individual field micro-grids using supply and consumption profiledata information of power supply 97, and load 39, and/or energydynamics. Knowing the spike or inrush loads separate from the run ornominal loads, in advance or during use, provides for ease of selectingenergy supply type, upsizing or downsizing of power supply assets andoptimum combinations for base load and reserve capacity sizing,relocation of power producing assets (e.g., balancing power producingassets to other micro-grids within the camp), and/or appliance loadsphysically or by power cables to consume energy from another micro-gridwithin the camp or connect additional island micro-grids together forbest fuel efficiency of reserve power.

The above fielded micro-grid system setup methodology for analysis,monitoring and control before energizing all loads provides the operatora smart analysis of actual connected inrush and operational loads usingpower supply and appliance specific energy profile information. Thefollowing explains the actual inter-operation of power supply 97controllers and load 39, delays and control thereof in one exemplaryembodiment.

Again, with continued reference to FIG. 3, the master FBC 90 isenergized through micro-grid 150, by mobile generator 91 a (which inthis example has a 30 kW capacity). The operator may select the masterFBC 90, to operate power supply 97, automatically in response to load39. Micro-grid load (for this example) has been less than ten kW for apreset time (time threshold input selected by the operator). Based onthe FBC's energy algorithm, the FBC 90 “looks” for a more efficientelectrical energy source combination and pings power supply 97 forpreviously defined parameters stored in power supply 97 FBCs so as toperform a “best efficiency” analysis. All connected energy supplycontrollers respond with respective information of their coupled energysupplies. The master FBC 90 computes electrical energy output needed forload verses fuel efficiency at the level of energy output and otherpreviously defined parameters. By way of example, fuel cell controller90 d may be selected as the most efficient energy supply. As such, it isgiven a start up request after communication of stored and present stateof appliance operation. The fuel cell 91 c synchronizes to micro-grid150, and is instructed to connect to micro-grid 150 (for load sharing)by the master FBC 90. Thereafter, the master FBC may disconnect mobilegenerator 91 a from micro-grid 150 if no longer required to supply thecurrent load.

In another aspect, the micro-grid 150, having energy supplied by fuelcell 91 d, as monitored by master FBC 90, may receive a request forstart from DDD 5, for operation of the ECU 20. This transmitted startrequest information contains embedded information of ECU 20, such as thepower consumption profile for start and run (see FIG. 9). The powerconsumption profile stored information may contain serial numbers, modelnumbers, resistive, inductive, capacitive, type of consumption, specificinrush current, power factor, status update rate and operationalelectrical energy profile over time in order to better select theefficient use of available electrical energy producing assets of powersupply 97. This energy consumption profile information may be pre-testactual test chamber, or lab-testing data embedded into respective DDDmemory during manufacturing.

At this point, the master FBC 90 analyzes the request for startoperation of the ECU 20 and its power consumption profile. In thisexample, insufficient inrush energy is available to operate ECU 20.Thus, DDD 5 is instructed by the master controller to delay starting ofECU 20, until sufficient electrical energy is available for the startand operation of ECU 20 (e.g. fuel cell 91 d, 10 kW output insufficientto supply inrush energy profile). The inrush energy required and the runenergy required for operation of ECU 20 is thus managed by the masterFBC 90 software as a plurality of individual energy amplitudes (e.g.compressor and related air moving motors inrush current and after inrushload running state of operation and moments in time). Based on this, themaster controller FBC 90 determines additional electrical energy isrequired from power supply 97, and pings and receives previously definedenergy profiles stored from all power supply 97 controllers forperforming a “best efficiency” analysis, (e.g. least amount of fuel useto supply electrical energy output required for inrush load andsubsequent run load). If ample energy is potentially available from thepower supply 97, the respective individual power source will beactivated in order to accommodate the inrush and run energy needs of theECU 20.

It should be noted that the master controller FBC may include additionalsensors responsive to such conditions, but not limited to, atmosphericpressure, and ambient temperature, to de-rate engine driven generatoroutput and efficiency performance, sun light intensity for solar loadingeffect of heated or cooled shelters, (as temperature increases airconditioner operational loading increases), and/or GPS regional locationfor look up in non-volatile memory pre-loaded climatic data (data usedin conjunction with power profiles and consumption profiles foradjusting master controller calculated loads and frequency of appliancecycling). The master controller in certain embodiments selectivelyadjusts one or more of the power supply profile data, the micro-gridload data, and/or the load profile based in whole or in part on at leastenvironmental information relating to the environmental condition of themicro-grid and/or on location information relating to the geographicallocation of the micro-grid. In addition, the master controller FBC mayenable ease of set up and operation of micro-grid by using regionaldiurnal historical climatic conditions for efficient engine efficiencyrating and solar output effect to the base load and reserve energysupply and consumption of micro-grid configurations. During operation ofmicro-grid, energy profile of each energy producer coupled to powersupply 97 and consumption profiles of load 39 can be factored by FBCmaster 90 by specific regional climatic data factors (e.g., a highercurrent draw with the coupled load 39). For example, energy generationcombination of generator 91 a (30 kW), generator 91 b (10 kW), andgenerator 91 c (5 Kw) could be recommended for the energy supply of thecoupled appliances. Alternatively, if power supply 97 is not capable ofproducing adequate power and no other power is available, fuel efficientenergy balancing may require, for example, movement of the ECUs or tent42, to another micro-grid or such may be disconnected from use (loaddeactivation).

In one aspect of the disclosure fuel-efficient electrical energyrequired for inrush and operation may be supplied from a plurality ofavailable energy producers of power supply 97. In this example runenergy required for ECU operation 20 is supplied by the most efficientenergy producer of a additional 4 kW load (e.g. mobile generator 91 c, 5kW) but mobile generator 91 c and fuel cell 91 d have insufficientenergy capacity to supply DDD 5 including the transmitted inrush currentof coupled ECU 20 appliance. FBC master controller 90 uses energyprofiles of power supply 97, including the energy output profile ofbattery storage and capacitors 91 e, supplied by FBC 90 e, indicatingsufficient electrical energy from battery and capacitors 91 e to supplyelectrical energy for inrush load of ECU 20. Generator control master 90instructs ECU 20 to wait, instructs energy storage system controller 90e to synchronize battery and capacitors 91 e to micro-grid 150 (energystorage system batteries and capacitors contain necessary componentssuch as inverters, battery charger, power management controller anddisconnect switches for grid tie in) connect to micro-grid 150, tosupply electrical inrush energy needed for inrush energy of ECU 20(subsequent run energy is supplied by mobile generator 91 c), and thenECU 20 is given permission to start. In one aspect of the disclosure FBCmaster controller 90 controls the operational (activation) state andstored energy level of a battery storage system by the monitoring andcontrol of charge levels and energy distribution control.

The algorithm parameters of the master controller FBC select and balancetwo or more available electrical power supplies, applying the mostefficient available combination of supply energy and wait time ofconsumption (e.g. time factor to start the generator engine, fuel cell,and or pre-connection phase synchronization wait time) for highest fuelefficiency of engine driven electrical energy producers. For example,the battery and capacitors energy storage may be connected ordisconnected to the micro-grid for inrush energy supply, power factorcorrection or dissipation of stored energy from renewable energysources, and various other electrical energy inputs. In addition, thebattery and capacitors 91 e may be connected to micro-grid 150 by FBCmaster 90 to increase the base load (e.g. energy used for applianceinrush current and/or grid peaking as examples) for higher fuelefficiency of power supply 97.

With reference now to FIG. 4, an appliance of the micro-grid is depictedas a clothes washer 22. The exemplary clothes washer 22 may include ademand delay device controller DDD 5 d, a relay 13 a, a heating element39 a, and an agitator motor 39 b. The heating element may heat waterused in an associated compartment (not shown) of clothes washer 22 thatis configured to receive and wash clothes. Agitator motor 39 b isconfigured to oscillate between different rotational directions or otherwise agitate clothes within the associated compartment during washand/or rinse operations. Control circuitry DDD 5 d, heating element 39a, and agitator motor 39 b are exemplary associated loads 139 a ofclothes washer 22 in the depicted embodiment.

In one configuration, a request for start of the clothes washer 22 (FIG.4), the energy consumption profile (e.g. resistive, inductive,capacitive), and the associated consumption energy levels arecommunicated to power supply master FBC 90 (FIG. 3). Transmitted datamay include electrical energy profile of type of wash cycle selected,total time of selected wash cycle, selected water temperature, energyinrush load, operational energy levels and related energy requirements(e.g. solenoids, operator display as an example) to receive sufficientenergy without cessation throughout the selected wash cycle. Visual oraudible information (not shown) may be provided to alert the operatorwhen insufficient power is available during initial start request. Thisoperator information may include time to wait for washer 22 to begin(i.e. while power supply 97, FIG. 3, selects type or size of electricalenergy for energy consumption profile of washer 22). In anotherexemplary power management operation, control circuitry DDD 5 d, incommunication with FBC master 90 (FIG. 3) and clothes washer 22, maycommunicate timing functions such as wash cycle time to water fill basedon selected water level. Energy required to provide time to water fillmay be available but additional energy needed for inrush energy is not.The master controller FBC 90 may give permission to water fill based oncommunicated time to fill and known time value of acquiring, or changingtype or size of power supply.

Now referring to FIG. 5, an appliance of the micro-grid is arranged as aclothes dryer 21, where the master controller is operative for at leastone received load activation request to give permission to activate apartial requested load and to delay permission for activation for aremainder of the requested load until the micro-grid power system isrebalanced. The clothes dryer 21 may include control circuitry DDD 5 e,a relay 13 b, a heating element 39 c, and a tumbler motor 39 d. Heatingelement 39 c is configured in one embodiment to heat an associatedcompartment (not shown) of clothes dryer 21. Tumbler motor 39 d isconfigured to spin clothes within the associated compartment duringdrying operations. Control circuitry DDD 5 e, heating element 39 c, andtumbler motor 39 d, comprise exemplary associated loads 139 b of clothesdryer 21 in the depicted embodiment.

In one configuration, a request for start of clothes dryer 21, theenergy consumption profile (e.g. resistive, inductive, and capacitive)and associated consumption levels is communicated to power supply masterFBC. Similar to the washer discussed previously, transmitted data caninclude electrical energy profile, type of cycle selected, total time ofselected dry cycle, selected air temperature, energy inrush load,operational energy levels and related energy requirements (e.g. operatordisplay and solenoids as an example) to receive sufficient energywithout cessation throughout the selected dry cycle. Again, visual oraudible (not shown) information may be provided to alert the operatorwhen insufficient power is available during initial start request. Thisoperator information may include actual time to wait for dryer 21 tobegin operation (e.g. as power supply 97, FIG. 3, selects type or sizeof electrical energy for energy consumption profile of dryer 21). Inother exemplary power management operations, control circuitry DDD incommunication with the master FBC, may communicate timing functions suchas temperature selection and dry cycle time. Energy required to run thetumbler motor may be available but additional energy needed forresistive heating is not. Thus, the master controller FBC may givepermission to control circuitry DDD to operate tumbler motor and maydelay operation of heating elements based on communicated time value ofacquiring or changing type or size of power supply to energize heatingelement.

With reference to FIG. 6, an appliance of the micro-grid arranged as anECU 20 is shown. The ECU 20 may include control circuitry DDD 5 f, arelay 13 c, a compressor 39 e, and a blower 39 f. Compressor 39 e isconfigured to compress a working fluid (not shown) and blower 39 f isconfigured to provide air movement through associated heat exchangers(not shown) during ECU operation. Control circuitry DDD 5 f, compressor39 e, and blower 39 f, comprise exemplary associated loads 139 c of ECU20, in the depicted embodiment. In one configuration, request for startof ECU 20, energy consumption profile (e.g. resistive, inductive,capacitive) and associated consumption profile (FIG. 9, as example) iscommunicated to power supply master FBC master controller 90 (FIG. 3).Here, transmitted data may include electrical energy profile of, heat orcooling mode selected, set point of thermostat and temperature of air tobe conditioned (not shown), energy inrush load profile (FIG. 9, asexample) of selected mode of operation, operational energy levels, andrelated energy requirements (e.g. operator display, additional airmovers, condensate pump as an example) to receive sufficient energywithout cessation throughout the selected mode of operation. Visual oraudible information (not shown) may be provided to the operator to alertthe operator when insufficient power is available for initial startrequest. This operator information may include time to wait for ECU 20to begin operation (i.e., while power supply 97, FIG. 3, selects type orsize of electrical energy for energy consumption profile of ECU 20). Inaddition, control circuitry DDD 5 f can be configured to be incommunication with the master FBC so as to communicate the selected modeof operation (such as heating, cooling, or ventilation). Based on modeselected, energy required to operate associated load 139 c may beavailable but additional energy needed for resistive heating (not shown)or compressor 39 e may not be available. By way of example, the masterFBC 90 may give permission to control circuitry DDD 5 e to operateblower 29 f, and may delay operation of heating elements (not shown) orcompressor 39 e, based on communicated time value of acquiring orchanging type or size of power supply to energize heating element orcompressor 39 e.

Now referring to FIG. 7, another load of the micro-grid is provided as atent 200. The tent 200 can be arranged as sleeping quarters orbilleting. The tent 200 may include a control circuitry DDD 5 g, a relay13 c, a first in-tent power panel 38 a, and a second in-tent power panel38 b. The first in-tent power panel 38 a can be configured in oneembodiment to supply electrical energy to high current tent loads (e.g.televisions, hair dryers, toasters, personnel fans) within tent 200. Thesecond in-tent power panel 38 b can be configured to provide low currentelectrical energy (lighting, personnel battery charging, electricblankets, and radios) to the remaining individual sleeping spaces withintent 200, floor space. Control circuitry DDD 5 g, in-tent power panel 38a, and in-tent power panel 38 b, comprise exemplary associated loads 139d of tent 200, in the depicted embodiment.

In one configuration, in-tent power panel 38 a and 38 b, respectivecircuit breaker capacity of typical sleeping quarters tent 200, andelectrical load energy consumption profile (e.g. resistive, inductive,capacitive) are stored in non-volatile memory of control circuitry DDD 5g for data communication with master controller FBC 90 (FIG. 3). In thecurrent art it is customary to leave the generator tent energy supplyassets in operation throughout a diurnal cycle. Much of the time thetent is unoccupied or occupants are at sleep. Maintaining unneeded powersupply 97 (FIG. 3) at capacity during these times wastes fuel andincreases engine generator maintenance. Thus, an on/off switch (notshown) can be located within tent 200 that signals request for power forin-tent power panel 38 a-38 b by relay 13 d. Alternately, a motioncontrol sensor (not shown) can be located within tent 200 that sensesoccupancy causing control circuitry DDD 5 g to signal request for power.If sufficient electrical energy is available from the power supply,control circuitry DDD 5 g connects the in-tent power panel 38 a-38 b byrelay 13 d to the micro-grid. Additional transmitted data may includeelectrical energy profile of, sleeping quarters energy load, operationalenergy levels, and related energy requirements (e.g. televisions, hairdryers, personnel fans as an example) to receive sufficient energywithout cessation throughout use of sleeping quarters.

In another embodiment, the power consumption profile may have aplurality of automatic or operator selected modes of user powerprofiles. A first example of a usage energy profile is duringnon-sleeping occupancy and a second example of an energy profile forperiods of sleeping. The ability to communicate the anticipated loadprofile has the fuel saving advantage of reducing power supply 97 unusedbut available capacity on standby (spinning reserve). Visual or audibleinformation may be provided to the operator to alert the operator wheninsufficient power is available for initial tent 200 energy profilestart request. This operator information may include time to wait fortent 200, power to be connected, (e.g. as power supply 97, FIG. 3,selects type or size of generator or stored electrical energy to bestfit energy consumption profile of tent 200). The DDDs 5 and/or themaster controller 90 in certain embodiments may be operative to respondto sensor control inputs such as motion sensors from a tent load 91. Forinstance, tent control circuitry 5 g (FIG. 7) may be coupled with amotion or similar type sensor to automatically change the delay controlcircuitry 5 g permission for electrical energy from an unoccupied to anoccupancy load level.

In other exemplary power management operations, control circuitry 5 f oftent 200 that is in communication with master FBC may communicate anoperator selected mode of operation (such as not in use, occupied, orsleeping). Based on selected mode of operation, tent power levels may beavailable for sleeping but additional energy needed for waking up orevening relaxation is not available at all times (e.g. reducing reservecapacity). The master controller FBC may give permission to controlcircuitry 5 e to operate in-tent power panel 38 b, and may delayoperation of in-tent power panel 38 a based on communicated time valueof acquiring or changing type or size of power supply to fully energizetent 200 when mode of tent operation is changed. In other exemplarypower management operations, tent 200 control circuitry 5 g may becoupled with a motion or similar type sensor to automatically change thedelay control circuitry 5 g permission for electrical energy from anunoccupied to an occupancy load level. In some cases low current levelsor energy are needed to remain on for personnel battle field batterycharging. An alternate embodiments where some electrical energy isneeded to be always on, delay control circuitry 5 g can be configuredwith a energy on over-ride selector switch to lock on specific tentsupply power panels or outlets.

Now with reference to FIG. 8, yet another load that can be associatedwith the micro-grid of the present disclosure involves that of a fieldkitchen 30. The kitchen 30 can be arranged as a plurality of foodstorage, preparation, and sanitization appliances as shown. The kitchen30 may include a mode switch 14 a, a DDD control circuitry 5 h, a highcurrent relay 13 e, a low current relay 13 f, an oven 39 i, a steamer 39j, a griddle 39 k, and a non cooking load 391. The DDD of the kitchen isconfigured to provide energy profile data of the loads within fieldkitchen 30. The high current relay 13 e can be configured to providehigh current electrical energy while the low current relay 13 f isconfigured to supply non-cooking low current electrical energy (e.g.lighting, water heating for sanitization sink, refrigerated storage, andfreeze protection of water lines). The DDD control circuitry 5 h, modeswitch 14 a, relay 13 e, relay 13 f, oven 39 i, steamer 39 j, griddle 39k, and non cooking loads 391, comprise exemplary associated loads 139 eof field kitchen 30 in the depicted embodiment.

With continued reference to FIG. 8, and by way of example only, the modeswitch 14 a can be placed to an on position. Load profile dataassociated with non-cooking relay 13 f is communicated to the master FBCby control circuitry 5 h. The non cooking request for power may bedefined and profiled through lab load testing and can be stored innon-volatile memory of control circuitry 5 h. Thereafter, the energyconsumption profile (e.g. resistive, inductive, and/or capacitive) andassociated consumption levels are analyzed by power supply mastercontroller FBC via an algorithm for fuel efficient selection of supplypower assets. When the mode switch 14 a is positioned to cook, loadprofile data associated with cooking relay 13 e is communicated to themaster FBC by control circuitry 5 h. The cooking request power profilecan be predetermined via lab load testing and can be stored in nonvolatile memory of control circuitry 5 h for communication with thecontroller master FBC. Thereafter, the power consumption profile (e.g.resistive, inductive, capacitance) and associated consumption levels canbe analyzed by the power supply master FCB via algorithm for the fuelefficient selection of supply power assets. Of course, the sub-loads 139e may be selectively and independently or dependently coupled accordingto a plurality of respective operational modes. Such modes may includeon or off state of individual load operation. In addition respectiveoperational start and on loads have been profiled and stored innon-volatile memory of control circuitry 5 h. The control circuitry 5 htransmits the associated defined load profile of the individual and/orthe collective equipment respective to associated relay for analysis ofbest power supply energy source configuration.

With reference now to FIG. 9, a graphical diagram is provided depictingtwo different fielded models of 60 KBtu ECUs used in accordance with oneor more embodiments of the present disclosure. An energy profile 400provides a clear understanding of the power consumption differences of abase load and required reserve capacity. A first profile ECU1 requiressignificantly more inrush power and consist of many inrush cycles tomaintain the thermostat setting while a second profile ECU2 (after theinitial inrush) maintains the thermostat setting with very little inrushpower. Though trend 1 and trend 2 show consumption when averaged as verysimilar, nonetheless a smaller generator could be employed to operateECU2 due to the lower inrush. In addition, an energy storage systemcould be selected to provide the inrush of ECU1 and thereby operating onthe same size generator as ECU2. It is the pre-communicated energyconsumption profile, the monitoring, and the pre-communicated powersupply profiles that provide the ability to select the most energyefficient combination of power supplies.

With continued reference to FIG. 9, the energy profile 400 depicts twodifferent designed ECUs consisting of a compressor, air blower,condenser fan, and related loads. The first energy profile ECU1 depictselectrical energy requirement to start and operate from an off state405, an inrush state 407, a run state 406, and a run with compressor offstate 408. The second energy profile ECU2 similarly depicts electricalenergy requirement to start and operate from an off state 405, an inrushstate 420, and a run state 421.

The DDD control circuitry 5 f (FIG. 6) of the ECU may include randomaccess memory, read only memory, flash memory, and various combinationsof these types of memory used to transmit associated load 139 c profile(e.g. in this example energy profile ECU1 or ECU2,) to the mastercontroller FBC. The DDD may include a transceiver. The transceiver mayutilize wireless or wired communication techniques for suchcommunication. Similarly, the FBC master controller may include aprocessor and random access memory, read only memory, flash memory, andvarious combinations of these types of memory used to receive associatedload 139 c profile. The master controller FBC may also include atransceiver that may utilize wireless or wired communication techniquesfor such communication such that the FBC master controller can issuecommand and control signals to supply 97 and Load 39 (FIG. 3).

Now with reference to FIG. 10, an exemplary configuration and method ofmonitoring micro-grid appliances and power supplies is provided. Here, amaster FBC 500 may comprise a hub for operation of a plurality of powersupply and appliance loads. This hub configuration uses data network 6to provide continuous updating and fuel-efficient refinement of powersupply selection in response to the monitoring. Operator input/output502 provides the user interface for input settings, preoperationalsupply and load information for pre use adjustment of power supplies andgrid loads. System balance information 501 may comprise random accessmemory, read only memory, flash memory, and various combinations ofthese types of memory are used to store associated FBC, user, and/oroperational computational information. A request for start 512 mayinitiate a send appliance load profile 513 to the master FBC 500, toselect power supply 511, and/or deselect power supply 510. The FBCmaster controller 500 continuously queries using data network 6 to scanfor connected power supplies 503 and gather power supply information504. Such information may include base load and what part of base loadis registered appliance loads verses non registered (non-operating),reserve capacity, and off line power supply asset type (connected in offstate). This information may be refreshed by an update-storedinformation command 505. The FBC master controller 500 continuouslyqueries using communication 520 to scan for connected appliances 506 andgather power appliance profile 507. Such profile information may includerunning or non running status. This information may be refreshed by anupdate-stored information command 508. A notice of stop command 514 mayinitiate a send appliance load profile 513 to the FBC master controller500 so as to select power supply 511 and/or deselect power supply 510.

With reference now to FIG. 11, power management information system 600is shown arranged according to the present disclosure. The system 600can be configured to depict OEM controller information and the exchangeof power supply energy profiles. In accordance with above describedexamples, the master FBC 500 continually updates power supply profilesfor adjustment at different moments of time and from the request ofappliance 516 to start or notice of stoppage. The depicted system can beconfigured to communicate with an OEM power supply control such as fuelcell generator controller 505, generator controller 506, and energystorage controller 507. Each OEM controller may communicate salientcharacteristics necessary for operation of their respective power supplywith FBC 510 a-510 c. The FBCs 510 a-510 c may include non-volatilememory containing actual tested performance data taken under variousloads and conditions of each coupled power supply.

In accordance with another aspect, power supply data may be stored in adata library accessed by the user selected by the size, type or model ofthe power supply. This performance data of the specific size, type, ormodel of power supply may be preloaded in a dedicated FBC (mechanicallycoupled) or uploaded to a non-dedicated FBC for upgrading fielded powersupplies. The FBC 510 a communicates with fuel cell generator 505. Realtime information such as fuel cell running/stopped, on line/off line,voltage, wattage, may be accessed from fuel cell generator controller505 by FBC 510 a. The FBC 510 a may contain in memory in addition toactual performance test data, additional criteria such as start up timeto rated power, fuel cell power efficiency profile, inverter AC outputprofile and an overall energy profile curve. This data is monitored andanalyzed by the master FBC 500 at different moments of time to implementpower supply size, type, or model adjustment. In addition, themonitoring of the master FBC 500 may be triggered by the addition ordeletion of an available power supply. The change in availability, size,type or model may implement a change in power supply configuration eventhough the consumption value has not changed.

The FBC 510 b communicates with generator controller 506 and may accessinformation from generator controller 506 (such as enginerunning/stopped, on line/off line, fuel level, voltages and currentlevels). The ability to access and store OEM controller operational datafor computation reduces the cost and complexity of the FBC 510 b. Inaddition, the FBC 510 b can be configured to retain (in memory)additional characteristics used for the computation of best fuel usagepower supply selection based upon micro-grid base load and permission tostart energy profiles. The generator tested energy profile data caninclude start up time to rated power, torque/energy output efficiency,continuous output maximum, and momentary peak output.

With continued reference to FIG. 11, solar energy 510 and wind energy511 power can be coupled with energy storage batteries and capacitorsenergy storage controller 507 can provide related energy management ofthe storage and capacitor system. The energy storage controller 507 maybe in communication with the FBC 510 c. For example, the FBC 510 c maycommunicate with energy storage controller 507 with regard to capacitorcharge, charging level, state of charge, and additional battery storageoperational data.

In some cases the batteries and capacitor may be the only energy supplyoperating the micro-grid. The FBC 510 c in communication with energystorage controller 507 may sense through the monitoring of energystorage controller 507 the battery energy level decreasing in capacityand signal a request for start providing energy consumption profile forrecharging of batteries and capacitors. The present load being supplied,and the request for the additional battery charging load, are analyzedby the master FBC 500 one embodiment for the best fuel-efficient powersupply reconfiguration. When in a full recharge state, a notice of shutoff by FBC 510 c is received by master FBC 500 for best fuel-efficientpower supply configuration.

In the prior example a power supply requested recharge energy due to thebattery energy storage level becoming insufficient to continue supplyingthe load. The example illustrates the monitoring and adjusting withinpower supplies for power supplies without an increase in load but adecrease in stored energy. This power supply adjustment without loadchange may also be implemented when power is supplied by a single mobilegenerator and the fuel reserve reaches a predetermined level signalingFBC 500 to select a replacement power supply for shut down andmaintenance of the low fuel generator.

With continued reference to FIG. 11, DDD 515 may receive a request forstart from appliance 516 and communicates a request for start with FBCmaster controller 500. The FBC master controller 500 may requestappliance 516 energy consumption profiles that may reside in the DDDmemory. Energy consumption characteristics and additional operationalaspects such as ambient temperature and altitude may be monitored and beincluded with the energy profile of appliance 516. This future load isanalyzed with data supplied by all FBC energy supplies for the bestfuel-efficient power supply configuration.

With reference now to FIG. 12, an exemplary methodology performed by themaster FBC 500 is shown with respect to a power supply informationexchange 700, illustrating the monitoring and adjusting of a pluralityof power supply types connected, removed, or recently attached to amobile military micro-grid. Other methods are possible including more,less, or alternative steps. It should be noted that these steps are notnecessarily all performed and it is not necessary for the step to beperformed in the sequence shown. Additional activities such asre-simulation and data modification occur as the analysis proceeds andsome iteration between the various steps may be required.

As discussed above, the ability to select the most fuel efficient powersupply or combination of power supplies is from the gathering of powersupply profile data (e.g. pre-tested profile data) integrated withstatic (not running) or dynamic (running) power supply and micro-gridload data that may reside in the FBC and communicated with the masterFBC for configuration change execution. By an additional load request orappliance cessation notice triggering the exchange of appliance loaddata (e.g. pre-tested profile data) used by the FBC master algorithm forthe rebalancing if required.

With continued reference to FIG. 12, the master FBC 500, at appliancestart request step S20, enters a state to rebalance power supply assetsin relationship to the new load profile, gathering appliance consumptionprofile at step S21, and power supply profiles at step S22. In theillustrated method, the power supply profile includes pre-testedoperational data and data values of present operation step S12, S11,S10. Appliance energy profile (FIG. 9) can be calculated with retrievedassociated power supply data step S23. The master controller FBC 500 isconfigured to provide a desired amount of fuel-efficient electricalenergy to the associated start request S20. At step S24, the bestfuel-efficient combination to provide the load is determined. It mayalso be determined in Step S24 that the present power supplyconfiguration is the most fuel efficient, thus proceeding to permissionto start step S27, triggered by a running state signal from respectiveappliance (not shown). Finally, energy supply efficiency is updated S28.

Furthermore, and with continued reference to FIG. 12, at appliance stopnotice step S19, the master FBC 500 enters a state to rebalance powersupply assets in relationship to the lost load, gathering applianceconsumption profile at step S21, and power supply profiles at step S22.The power supply profiles may include pre-tested operational data anddata values of present operation step S12, S11, S10. The applianceenergy profile (FIG. 9) can be calculated and associated power supplydata is retrieved in step S23. Control circuitry master FBC 500, isconfigured to provide a desired amount of fuel-efficient electricalenergy to the appliance stop notice S19. At step S24, the bestfuel-efficient combination is determined. Step S24 may also determinethat the present power supply configuration is the most fuel efficientthus causing the FBC to proceed to update the total power supplyefficiency step S28 or change power supply configuration at step S25.

With further reference to FIG. 12, the FBC 500, through the monitoringof power supplies determines that a power supply has been added to themicro-grid. For example, a period of time has elapsed the micro-grid isbalanced with available power supplies and the load, master FBC 500,through the monitoring recognizes vehicle export power FBC 706, as a newsource. The FBC then proceeds to step S21, then S22, evaluates for powerchange S23, selects the best fuel efficient change and implements thechange step S25, updating to the new supply, consumption, and load.Similarly, the FBC 500, through the monitoring of power suppliesdetermines that a power supply has been removed from the micro-grid. Forexample, again a period of time has elapsed, the micro-grid is balancedwith available power supplies, and the load, master FBC 500, through themonitoring recognizes vehicle export power FBC 706, as a lost source.The FBC would then proceed to step S21, then S22, evaluates for powerchange S23, selects the best fuel efficient change and implements thechange S25, updating to the new supply, consumption, and load.

Thus, several benefits and features have been disclosed related to thedisclosure. According to one aspect, an electrical power distributioncontrol method providing electrical energy from a plurality of enginedriven generators, applying the electrical energy to a plurality ofappliances, providing a plurality of different combinations of enginedriven generators corresponding to the lowest amount of fuel usageinitiated by data communication, of appliance load profiles, beforeappliance operation, on request for start up and during operation of aplurality of appliances. Electrical energy distributed through amilitary fielded micro-grid and network for data transfer.

According to another aspect, control of an electrical power supply ofdifferent energy conversion inputs such as diesel, hydrogen, wind,battery, capacitor, solar connected in parallel. Fuel efficiency controlmethod includes providing a plurality of individual power supplyselection corresponding to lowest fuel usage providing electrical energyvalues based on pre-defined energy consumption data communicated beforeoperation. Applying a delay of start time on request for appliance orgroup of appliance start up when required to initiate a readjustment oftype or output capacity of energy power supply. Providing electricalenergy and adjusting type of energy conversion to another energyconversion type of available energy different than the initial type ofavailable energy responsive to the communication of a energy profile ofappliance or group of appliances connected but not in operation or atnotice of appliance or group of appliance shut down. In certainembodiments, moreover, the master controller is operative to rebalancethe supply of electrical power to the micro-grid power system bychanging an activation state of one or more of the plurality of powersupplies based at least partially on an indication of imminent loss ofat least one of the power supplies, for example, in response to warningsor other indications that low batteries needing charging or by changingthe power supply based on a low fuel warning or other eminent loss ofindividual power supply such as overheating, or low fuel, even if thereis no loading change.

According to another aspect, control of an electrical power supply ofdifferent energy conversion inputs such as diesel, fuel cell, wind,battery, capacitor, solar connected in parallel in response to powersupply health or ability to sustain load. Power supply control methodincludes readjustment of power supplies in response to present and/orfuture condition of power supply with or without load change wherein thesupply or part of the supply in response to the monitoring may selectdifferent sizes or types of energy supply to maintain supply levels.This readjustment may be initiated from energy storage devises such asbattery or capacitors in response to remaining available supply energy,or equipment sensors such as engine over heating, low oil pressure, orlow fuel warnings, or may be initiated by the master controller.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure, a fuel savingscontrol method initiated in response to the monitoring of appliancedelay control circuitry embedded energy profile data varies the types orcapacity of the power distribution system responsive to the monitoring,operating the power supply at another mode of operation wherein one partof the load such as inrush is supplied by a second amount of electricalenergy supply different than the first type of energy supply.

According to still another aspect of the disclosure a fuel savingscontrol method response initiated by the monitoring of appliance delaycontrol circuitry embedded energy profile data and operator selectedmode of operation varies the types or capacity of the power distributionsystem responsive to the monitoring, operating the power supply atanother mode of operation wherein one part of the load such as inrush issupplied by a second amount of electrical energy supply different thanthe first type of energy supply.

According to yet another aspect of the disclosure a fuel savings controlmethod initiated by the monitoring of appliance delay control circuitryembedded energy profile data and operator selected mode of operationvaries the types or capacity of the power distribution system responsiveto the monitoring, fuel balance controller master delays high energyconsumption loads for time to reconfigure power supply types orcapacities operating the appliance at another mode of operation whereinone part of the load such as motor inrush is delayed than supplied by asecond amount of electrical energy supply different than the first typeof energy.

According to another aspect of the disclosure a fuel savings controlmethod initiated by the monitoring of a delay control circuitry embeddedenergy profile data of a plurality of “light load” appliance types.Providing electrical characteristics of a combined and/or random energyconsumption profile.

According to another aspect of the disclosure a fuel savings controlmethod initiated by the monitoring of a delay control circuitry embeddedenergy profile data of a plurality of “large load” appliance types.Providing electrical characteristics of a combined energy consumptionprofile corresponding to selected mode of operation.

In accordance with further aspects of the present disclosure, anon-transitory, tangible computer readable medium is provided, such as acomputer memory, a memory within a control apparatus (e.g., in a fuelbalance controller as described above), a CD-ROM, floppy disk, flashdrive, database, server, computer, etc., which has computer executableinstructions for performing the above described methods.

The above examples are merely illustrative of several possibleembodiments of various aspects of the present disclosure, whereinequivalent alterations and/or modifications will occur to others skilledin the art upon reading and understanding this specification and theannexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functionsperformed by the above described components (assemblies, devices,systems, circuits, and the like), the terms (including a reference to a“means”) used to describe such components are intended to correspond,unless otherwise indicated, to any component, such as hardware,processor-executed software, or combinations thereof, which performs thespecified function of the described component (i.e., that isfunctionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to thedisclosed structure which performs the function in the illustratedimplementations of the invention. In addition, although a particularfeature of the disclosure may have been disclosed with respect to onlyone of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one ormore other features of the other implementations as may be desired andadvantageous for any given or particular application. Also, to theextent that the terms “including”, “includes”, “having”, “has”, “with”,or variants thereof are used in the detailed description and/or in theclaims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar tothe term “comprising”.

Several exemplary embodiments have thus been described. Modificationsand alterations may occur to others upon reading and understanding thepreceding detailed description. It is intended that the exemplaryembodiments be construed as including all such modifications andalterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claimsor the equivalents thereof.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for controlling supply ofelectrical power to a micro-grid power system including a plurality ofloads disconnected from utility power and individually capable ofconsuming electrical power when activated, and a plurality of powersupplies operatively coupled to provide electrical power to themicro-grid when activated, the apparatus comprising: a communicationsinterface operative to exchange communications messaging with at leastsome of the loads or a load control device coupled with a correspondingload; and at least one processor programmed to: determine a micro-gridload profile for the micro-grid power system based at least partially ona plurality of consumption profiles, each individual consumption profilecorresponding to a particular one of the plurality of loads, determinean active reserve power level for the micro-grid power system based atleast partially on the consumption profiles, and set an activation stateof one or more of the plurality of loads based at least partially onpower supply information, the determined micro-grid load profile and thedetermined active reserve power level.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the consumption profiles individually correspond to at leastsome of the plurality of loads via the communications interface.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the power supply information includes atleast one power supply profile and power supply data for at least someof the power.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least oneprocessor is programmed to set the activation state of one or more ofthe plurality of loads by delaying activation of one or more specificones of the loads that are currently deactivated for which a loadactivation request has been received until either the supply ofelectrical power to the micro-grid power system has been rebalanced toaccommodate the requested activation or a determination has been madethat a current supply of electrical power to the micro-grid power systemis sufficient to accommodate the requested activation.
 5. The apparatusof claim 4, wherein the at least one processor is programmed to set theactivation state of one or more of the plurality of loads by: for atleast one received load activation request, giving permission toactivate a partial requested load; and delaying permission foractivation for a remainder of the requested load until the micro-gridpower system is rebalanced.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the atleast one processor is programmed to set the activation state of one ormore of the plurality of loads by deactivating at least one of theplurality of loads.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the individualconsumption profiles indicate a base load level and a required reservecapacity load level for the corresponding load.
 8. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one processor is programmed to set theactivation state of one or more of the plurality of loads by: for atleast one received load activation request, giving permission toactivate a partial requested load; and delaying permission foractivation for a remainder of the requested load until the micro-gridpower system is rebalanced.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the atleast one processor is programmed to set the activation state of one ormore of the plurality of loads by deactivating at least one of theplurality of loads.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at leastone processor is programmed to control peak shaving in the micro-grid.11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor isprogrammed to set an activation state of one or more of the plurality ofpower supplies based at least partially on the power supply information,the determined micro-grid load profile and the determined active reservepower level.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the consumptionprofiles individually correspond to at least some of the plurality ofloads via the communications interface.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11,wherein the power supply information includes at least one power supplyprofile and power supply data for at least some of the power.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is programmedto set the activation state of one or more of the plurality of loads bydelaying activation of one or more specific ones of the loads that arecurrently deactivated for which a load activation request has beenreceived until either the supply of electrical power to the micro-gridpower system has been rebalanced to accommodate the requested activationor a determination has been made that a current supply of electricalpower to the micro-grid power system is sufficient to accommodate therequested activation.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the atleast one processor is programmed to set the activation state of one ormore of the plurality of loads by: for at least one received loadactivation request, giving permission to activate a partial requestedload; and delaying permission for activation for a remainder of therequested load until the micro-grid power system is rebalanced.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 11, wherein the at least one processor is programmedto set the activation state of one or more of the plurality of loads by:for at least one received load activation request, giving permission toactivate a partial requested load; and delaying permission foractivation for a remainder of the requested load until the micro-gridpower system is rebalanced.
 17. An apparatus for controlling supply ofelectrical power to a plurality of loads individually capable ofconsuming electrical power when activated, the apparatus comprising: acommunications interface operative to exchange communications messagingwith at least some of the loads or a load control device coupled with acorresponding load; and at least one processor programmed to: determinea micro-grid load profile for the micro-grid power system based at leastpartially on a plurality of consumption profiles, each individualconsumption profile corresponding to a particular one of the pluralityof loads, determine an active reserve power level for the micro-gridpower system based at least partially on the consumption profiles, andset an activation state of one or more of the plurality of loads basedat least partially on power supply information, the determinedmicro-grid load profile and the determined active reserve power level.18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the consumption profilesindividually correspond to at least some of the plurality of loads viathe communications interface.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein thepower supply information includes at least one power supply profile andpower supply data for at least some of the power.
 20. The apparatus ofclaim 17, wherein the at least one processor is programmed to set theactivation state of one or more of the plurality of loads by: for atleast one received load activation request, giving permission toactivate a partial requested load; and delaying permission foractivation for a remainder of the requested load until the micro-gridpower system is rebalanced.